Artificial limb



H. C. MILLER.

ARTIFICIAL LIMB.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 14. 1922.

Patnted Aug. 1, 192 2..

Fig.2

Fla. 3.

rr ra FATE Application filed January 14, 1922.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that HERBERT CLARADEN MILLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, has invented certain new and useful Improvements in Artificial Limbs, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in artificial limbs and particularly to means for making adjustments in length and to materials in the construction thereof.

Inasmuch as it is essential that an artificial body member combine durability and lightness, it is the primary object of the present invention to protect the safety and comfort of the wearer of an artificial limb, by embodying therein such construction and material in a simple and positive adjusting means as to adequately cover these requirements. Provision is made for positive and simple adjustment, as may be desirable, to adapt it to the length of the natural limb, according to the age or growth of the afflicted, to a permanent position. Less standard limbs will be required to be manufactured and the device will be rendered less expensive, simpler in construction and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will be hereinafter definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a side view of the artificial limb embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section showin male and female aluminum parts with a steel bar, comprising the adjusting means, in assembled relation.

Fig. 3 is a detailed view of the steel connecting bar.

Fig. 4 is a detailed, front elevation, of the aluminum members.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

1, represents the male aluminum member, adapted to be socketed or telescopically enaged in the female aluminum member 2. hese members are secured in adjusted position by means of a steel bar 3, adapted to be inserted through apertures in the respective aluminum parts. The apertures coincide at ARTIFICIAL LIMB.

Specification of Letters Patent. I PatgntgdgAug. I, 1922.

Serial No. 529,218.

diametrically opposite points in the aluminum members and the bar is secured therein by means of a nut 4. The aluminum members are securely fastened to the limb elements, which are to receive adjustment, by screws 5. In the embodiment illustrated of the present invention, the aluminum sleeves are secured to the lower shin member of a leg, as shown in Fig. 1; however the same application may be made to the thigh member or to either member of an arm. The detailed view in Figs. 2 and 4 illustrates its application to any limb member. The head and nut of the steel rod 3 may be counter sunk, as shown in Fig. 3, in the female or socket member 2. Reinforced thimbles could be secured to the aluminum members where the rod 3 passes therethrough, if desired. The aluminum members which are adapted to be secured to that portion of the limb which is to be adjusted, may be solid or hollow; in the present embodiment the hollow form is preferred, reference being had to Fig. 2.

Any desired number of perforations may be placed in the aluminum sleeves to receive the bar. They will be so arranged that when the sleeves telescopically engage, one or more pairs of diametrically opposite apertures will be in alignment in both aluminum sleeves so that the steel rod may be inserted when the adjustment has been made.

My invention may be made a part of the limb when manufactured or it may be added to a limb in use which is in need of adjustment for any reason. The material of the limb may be cut transversely at any desired point, and a portion removed, or not, as occasion may demand, apertures may be drilled, if necessary in the material of the limb in alignment with apertures in the opposite edges of the aluminum extension members, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, wherein wood screws, small stud bolts or other means are inserted, to rigidly secure said members thereto. This fact makes it possible to easily and inexpensively suit the limb in length to the comfort of the wearer without discarding the old one to which he has become accustomed.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that an artificial limb constructed to embody my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and adjusted. It will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification Without departing from the principle and secured to the adjacent encls of any part of the limb to be given adjustment, by screws passing through said apertures "and into the ,inaterial of the limb, the free ends of said aluminum members sliding one Within the other a predetermined amount and secured tlierein'by a steel rod, With a head=o n oneeend thereof and a nutronrthe other, said rod passo through aligned holes in the engaging portions of said members, the-xexternalholes in said :members being counter sunk to receive the head of said *rod, and securing nut, re spectively.

HERBERT CLARADEN MILLER. 

